It’s often said that the only guarantee in life is that there is no guarantee. Your parent can be incredibly healthy and suddenly develop an illness. That illness affects the ability to complete activities of daily living. Illness is not the only issue. A fall could lead to a sprain or broken bone that makes it hard to continue the same activities as before.
Age Alone Can Change Abilities.
Your parent was always active. After retirement, your parent slowed down a bit. Ten years later, your parent has arthritis and has a harder time going up and down the stairs. You’ve noticed your mom’s gait is slower and more cautious. Your dad holds both handrails and walks very carefully when going up and down stairs.
There are other reasons your dad and mom may struggle with things that once came easily to them. Your dad’s vision is declining due to glaucoma. He can’t drive in the early morning or after the sunset. It’s causing him to stay home more often. He’s relying heavily on takeout meals that are delivered.
Discuss What Happens in Worst Case Scenarios.
One family found themselves in a serious dilemma when their dad had a stroke. He’d been the primary caregiver to his wife after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. The stroke left him unable to talk. He couldn’t move the left side of his body. He needed a wheelchair and eight weeks of rehabilitation in a nursing home. Until his stroke, he’d been healthy with no signs of high blood pressure, diabetes, or other health concerns.
When a situation arises from out of the blue, it’s hard to arrange new care plans. You’re already stressed. You have a parent in a nursing home that needs around-the-clock care. You have to prepare your parent’s home for their eventual return and changes in mobility. You also have work and caring for your children, house, or pets to add to the mix.
You need to talk about these unexpected situations and see who could help out and how often. You need to know what your parent would want for care and where. Your mom or dad might prefer home care services, but they may want to save money by having friends and family help out as much as possible. It’s an important discussion to have.
When abilities change, your mom or dad need home care to maintain safety and security. Home care agencies can send caregivers to help with things your parent can’t do. Those caregivers can be temporary or permanent while your parent ages in place.
If you or an aging loved one needs home care in Fair Oaks, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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